As I delve into the captivating story of Ann and Michael Einziger, the dynamic couple behind the revolutionary skincare brand, Mother Science, I am utterly enchanted by their inspiring journey. Their tale is not just about a successful business venture but a testament to their unwavering passion for science, love, and family.
The love story of musicians Ann Marie Simpson-Einziger and Mike Einziger was fortified in a lab.
In 2010, a Santa Monica couple started their romantic journey after connecting through a mutual work acquaintance. The following year, they began collaborating with the Academy Award-winning composer Hans Zimmer on various film scores, which marked the beginning of their partnership. Mike Einziger, well-recognized as the founding guitarist from the California rock band Incubus, is this couple’s husband. His wife is a celebrated composer and violinist, who has worked with notable artists such as Jethro Tull, Ringo Starr, Dave Matthews Band, and Stevie Nicks.
For approximately a year, the pair had been getting to know each other. During this time, they encountered an intriguing medical enigma jointly, which led to an exhilarating scientific breakthrough. This discovery marked the inception of a biotech beauty firm named Mother Science, and their personal fairy tale ending.
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“It was an unexpected journey,” said Simpson-Einziger.
“We were simply trying to answer a series of unanswered scientific questions,” her husband added.
Everything started in the year 2012 as Simpson-Einziger contracted a fungal infection during one of her trips abroad. As a skilled violinist by profession, she was collaborating with renowned composer A.R. Rahman in India when she detected lighter areas on her back and under her bra strap that looked like “loosely drawn flower petals, with rounded edges,” as she described them.
Following a visit to her dermatologist, Simpson-Einziger received a diagnosis for a transient fungal condition known as Tinea versicolor. This condition may cause changes in skin color, either lighter or darker, due to increased humidity.
Simpson-Einziger explained, ‘It’s a disruption in the balance of microorganisms within the body,’ or in simpler terms, ‘an imbalance in the microbiome.’ Although the condition was harmless and self-resolving, she became quite intrigued.
“We learned pretty quickly that there were no real hypotheses about how this was happening.”
— Mike Einziger, co-founder of Mother Science and Incubus guitarist
Equipped with a bachelor’s degree in biology from the University of Virginia, the previous teacher of physics and chemistry delved into scientific journals such as Pigment International and Chembiochem to uncover articles providing clearer explanations for her skin issue. This led her to ponder if the same cause could potentially be utilized as a skincare solution effective in diminishing dark spots.
She sought assistance from her fiancé at the time, Einziger, who was well-versed in science due to his background. Not long ago, he had finished a two-year Special Student program at Harvard University’s Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, specializing in cosmology and evolutionary biology. This allowed him continued access to the university’s extensive research databases, which proved useful when she needed help finding articles on Tinea versicolor. Over time, he became just as captivated by her interest in the topic.
According to Einziger, there was a vast amount of existing research to delve into, yet none approached the subject from our unique viewpoint. It didn’t take long for us to realize that there weren’t any solid theories explaining the process as it occurred in our case.
Despite not having definitive proof yet, the idea put forth by Simpson-Einziger that her skin condition might find application in the cosmetics industry was a source of ongoing intrigue and excitement for both parties.
“I actually had a nightmare that somebody took her idea,” he said.
In the year 2015, he reached out to Dr. Jonathan Sackier, a familiar face and pioneer in the field of biotech and medical entrepreneurship, with whom he shared the invention of robotic surgery.
As a freshly minted college grad residing in Virginia, I had the privilege of instructing a young lady in the art of playing the violin.
As a dedicated cinephile, I walked into the room confidently, ready for any skepticism, anticipating some chuckles might be directed our way.
During the phone conversation, Sackier recalled the apprehension exhibited by the couple. “Ann-Marie murmured in the background, ‘He’s going to think we’re foolish,'” he stated. “[Mike] inquired if I could discern what specific factor within the fungal infection was leading to depigmentation,” he continued, “and if identified, could I devise or separate the chemical compound so that we could take action against pigmentation disorders.
As a specialist surgeon, Sackier forged connections with his fellow professional, Professor Emeritus Timothy Macdonald, who is a distinguished chemist and pharmacologist formerly based at the University of Virginia.
According to Sackier, he’s presented numerous projects to him throughout the years. He jokingly refers to him as ‘Dr. No’ due to his habit of responding “No, that doesn’t add up” or “No, that won’t succeed.” However, when I shared this recent project with him, he was taken aback and exclaimed, “Wow, that’s remarkable!
McDonald took on the role of advisor for the couple, facilitating their connection with PharmaDirections, a research organization based in North Carolina. This drug development firm assisted in creating a scientific plan aimed at investigating intriguing compounds that had piqued the Einzigers’ interest during their own research.
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Ámez expresses his affection for the profoundly human nature of the situation, which resonated deeply with him, given his highly empathetic personality.
Following numerous research investigations, it was found that a native substance, Malassezin (said as mal-uh-say-zin), which had developed alongside the human microbiome, might offer advantages for sun spots. Although this molecule was discovered and labeled in 2001, it was the Einzigers who initially recognized its potential significance in skincare products.
In my professional opinion as a dermatologist based in New York, Malassezin is derived from a specific type of yeast. When an individual experiences a yeast infection on their skin, the affected area might momentarily lighten or appear bleached.
In 2016, the pair submitted an application for patenting their discovery. This patent was officially awarded in 2018. Subsequently, they collaborated with a group of scientists, including cosmetic chemist Susan Goldsberry and beauty innovation entrepreneur Tim McCraw, to transform Malassezin into a topical serum. Earlier, it had been produced through a different process called chemical synthesis.
To determine if it might be advantageous for skin cells that manufacture melanin (melanocytes), they initiated trials. They financed the initial study using their own savings.
Simpson-Einziger commented, “I considered the value of learning molecular characterization and commercialization from industry experts as, ‘What price would I pay for such a unique educational opportunity?’ This personalized instruction made our effort to explore this molecule priceless.
In August 2017, Edna Coryell, McCraw’s daughter who is an experienced professional in the beauty industry, joined Mother Science as co-founder and CEO. Her role was primarily to supervise ongoing research and development, which encompassed in vitro experiments, cultivating 3D cell cultures, ex vivo skin testing, and genetic analysis. Notably, Coryell had not introduced a new ingredient until Malassezin.
Coryell remarked, ‘It’s quite unusual.’ He further explained, ‘As we progressed through it, it felt like we were authoring a unique playbook.’
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At the JY Beauty salon in San Gabriel, they offer a ‘face tendon’ or ‘TikTok’ facial treatment that employs gua sha and lymphatic massage techniques to tighten and elevate your skin, lessening the appearance of aging symptoms.
In addition to their work, the Einzigers partnered with Dr. Pearl Grimes, head of the Vitiligo & Pigmentation Institute of Southern California, a specialist focusing on vitiligo and related skin conditions.
Einziger stated that this individual has been studying Tinea versicolor for many years. Upon learning about the discovery, her immediate response was one of surprise and wonder: ‘How on earth did you manage to figure this out?’
Grimes expressed complete awe, stating that delving into the preliminary lab studies was captivating. The science and idea behind it were groundbreaking.
Grimes put together a clinical program, resulting in preliminary data that has subsequently been made public in reputable scientific journals such as the American Academy of Dermatology and Journal of Drugs in Dermatology.
She went so far as to take a skin biopsy from her own elbow for lab testing. Using VISIA skin analysis technology, she found that the serum helped fade hyperpigmentation on the sample.
Grimes confirmed its effectiveness by saying, ‘It was then I was certain it was working.’ He applied it to a resistant spot, and the results were evident through visual proof captured in photographs.
“Having holes punched in my face was an ultimate act of belief in what we’ve made.”
— Ann Marie Simpson-Einziger, co-founder of Mother Science and violinist
Einziger also biopsied a patch on his arm for Grimes to analyze. “We felt responsible,” he said. “Mine was done before we even did the human clinical study.”
Simpson-Einziger playfully commented that, just like her, she also took a significant personal risk when she underwent the punch-biopsy procedure on her face not once, but three times.
Simpson-Einziger stated, “Piercing holes into my face symbolized the highest level of faith in what we’ve created.
As a film enthusiast, when the Einzigers validated their initial theory in a human clinical study, I eagerly embraced the opportunity to take the next step – crafting a business strategy that would eventually bring Mother Science into existence. Notably, this venture complemented their existing portfolio, which already included Mixhalo, a groundbreaking networking technology company specializing in live events.
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Originating as a tribute to Marie Curie, the renowned French physicist and chemist, Mother Science was established following an initial seed funding round of approximately $3.2 million, backed by a select group of venture capitalists and angel investors such as Michael Polansky from Hawktail and Drew Houston, co-founder of Dropbox. After over six years of dedicated research, Malassezin served as the foundation for Mother Science, officially debuting in 2023 with its flagship product, Molecular Hero Serum ($89). This skincare solution aims to minimize hyperpigmentation and enhance skin radiance.
As a passionate cinephile of skincare, I’d excitedly share: “I discovered that Malassezin is an exceptional antioxidant! During our testing phase, we found out that it provides superior shield against harmful hydroxyl and peroxyl free radicals, which are some of the most damaging. We stumbled upon a molecule that holds the key to marvelous protection for your skin.
Another item, Retinol Synergist, priced at $96, has been introduced this year. Moreover, the Molecular Genesis Barrier Repair Moisturizer, enriched with Malassezin, is scheduled for release on January 7th.
Dr. Mona Gohara, a dermatologist based in Connecticut and an associate clinical professor at Yale University, points out that Malassezin is remarkably versatile because it addresses hyperpigmentation, strengthens the skin’s moisture barrier, and offers powerful antioxidant defense without causing any discomfort. She adds that its unique feature lies in being both gentle and highly effective.
In 2016, the Einzigers got married, which was also the year they filed a patent for their groundbreaking scientific discovery. Now, they are proud parents to four kids, including a nearly one-year-old boy. Given that their romantic journey and their scientific pursuit overlapped significantly, they affectionately refer to Science as their fifth child.
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Simpson-Einziger recollected, pausing thoughtfully. “Many told us, ‘This is too challenging, it’ll take years.’ However, I found solace in the idea that ‘Years don’t intimidate me. I have a child to raise, 18 years of nurturing a human being.’ While there are no certainties about how a child will develop, you embark on this journey out of affection, out of a burning desire, and it enriches your life.
As I contribute to the expansion of Mother Science’s product range, what truly makes me beam with pride is the journey of discovery we embark on ourselves at Simpson-Einziger.
She expressed her enthusiasm for making a mark in the scientific world, and seeing that contribution become an integral part of their company’s identity.
She hopes Malassezin will one day be as universally known as Vitamin C and hyaluronic acid.
She expressed a desire for conversations centered around Malassezin, rather than discussing our brand specifically, but solely focusing on Malassezin.
To put it simply, they want the quality of their product’s components to take the spotlight, rather than themselves.
Einziger, known for consistently filling stadiums with his band Incubus, joked that no one is thrilled about turning to him for skincare solutions. He simply describes himself as a musician with an intriguing interest in the skin microbiome.
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2024-12-06 02:51